If you’re craving something warm, comforting, and irresistibly delicious, this Apple Coffee Cake recipe is exactly what you need. Bursting with fresh apple chunks and a generous sprinkle of cinnamon, this cake strikes the perfect balance between tender crumb and sweet spice. Whether you’re enjoying it with your morning coffee or serving it as a delightful dessert, the Apple Coffee Cake is a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make and absolutely worth every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make baking this cake a breeze for beginners and pros alike.
Perfectly balanced flavors: The warmth of cinnamon pairs beautifully with fresh apples creating a rich, cozy taste.
Moist and tender texture: This cake stays soft and moist, making each slice a joyful experience.
Versatile for any occasion: Enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, or dessert; it fits seamlessly into any part of your day.
Customizable: Easily tweak the recipe with your favorite nuts or spices to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Apple Coffee Cake is in its simple, wholesome ingredients—all of which play a key role in delivering fantastic flavor and texture. From tart apples that add freshness to the warm cinnamon that creates irresistible aroma, each component elevates the cake to cozy perfection.

Fresh apples: Crisp and slightly tart, these give the cake natural sweetness and juicy bites.
All-purpose flour: The structure of your cake depends on this staple ingredient, ensuring a tender crumb.
Sugar: Balanced sweetness to enhance the apple and spice flavors without overpowering them.
Cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth, making this cake feel like a comforting hug in food form.
Baking powder and soda: Leavening agents that help your cake rise and stay light.
Butter: Contributes to moistness and richness for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Eggs: Provide structure and bind all ingredients harmoniously.
Vanilla extract: A subtle hint of sweetness that ties the flavors together beautifully.
Brown sugar: Sprinkled in the streusel topping for crunchy, caramelized bites.
Chopped nuts (optional): Add crunch and extra depth to the topping if you like.

Variations for Apple Coffee Cake

This Apple Coffee Cake recipe is wonderfully flexible, inviting you to make it your own. Whether you want to add some extra texture, accommodate dietary restrictions, or simply experiment with flavors, here are some excellent ways to switch things up.

Use different fruit: Swap apples for pears or peaches for a new fruity twist.
Gluten-free option: Replace all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend to suit dietary needs.
Add nuts: Incorporate walnuts or pecans into the batter or topping for added crunch and flavor.
Spice it up: Mix in nutmeg or cardamom alongside cinnamon to deepen the spice profile.
Swap sweeteners: Use maple syrup or honey instead of sugar for a natural sweetness boost.

Easy Apple Coffee Cake Recipe to Try Today

How to Make Apple Coffee Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Apples

Start by peeling, coring, and dicing your apples into small, uniform pieces. This ensures even distribution of fruit throughout your cake and keeps every bite moist and flavorful.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. This step helps evenly distribute the spices and leavening, crucial for a perfectly textured cake.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Eggs

Using a mixer, beat softened butter and eggs until light and fluffy. This creates a rich foundation that traps air, helping your cake rise beautifully as it bakes.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter-egg mixture, stirring gently to avoid overmixing. Then fold in the diced apples, ensuring they’re evenly coated without breaking apart.

Step 5: Prepare the Streusel Topping

Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and chopped nuts (if using) with cold butter until crumbly. This topping will bake into a crunchy, sweet contrast to the soft cake underneath.

Step 6: Assemble and Bake

Pour the batter into a greased pan, evenly sprinkle the streusel mixture over the top, and bake in a preheated oven until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. The aroma while baking is pure magic!

Pro Tips for Making Apple Coffee Cake

Room temperature ingredients: Use eggs and butter at room temperature for better mixing and lighter texture.
Don’t overmix: Gently fold ingredients to avoid a dense cake and preserve a tender crumb.
Use tart apples: Varieties like Granny Smith balance sweetness with acidity perfectly in this recipe.
Chill topping ingredients: Cold butter in the streusel keeps the topping crispy and crumbly after baking.
Test doneness: Insert a toothpick near the middle of the cake; it should come out with just a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.

How to Serve Apple Coffee Cake

Garnishes

Dust your slices lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze to add a touch of sweetness and elegant presentation.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a steaming cup of your favorite coffee or chai tea for an extra cozy treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your Apple Coffee Cake in individual ramekins for a charming personal dessert or cut into bite-sized squares for a party platter that invites sharing and sampling.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Apple Coffee Cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate for up to five days to maintain freshness and moisture.

Freezing

Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil before placing it in the freezer. Properly stored, it can last for up to three months without losing flavor or texture.

Reheating

Warm individual slices gently in the microwave or oven to bring back that freshly baked softness and aromatic spiciness, just like right out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?

While fresh apples are best for texture, you can use frozen apples if thawed and drained well to avoid excess moisture in the batter.

How long does Apple Coffee Cake keep fresh?

At room temperature, the cake stays fresh for about two days; refrigeration extends the shelf life to five days when properly covered.

Is this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?

You can substitute a gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary slightly; consider adding xanthan gum for better structure.

Can I make Apple Coffee Cake dairy-free?

Yes! Use plant-based butter and milk alternatives to make a delicious dairy-free version without sacrificing taste.

What type of apples works best?

Tart and firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold their shape and provide great balance to the sweetness and spices.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Coffee Cake recipe brings warmth and comfort to any table with minimal effort and maximum flavor. It’s perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying as your little personal indulgence. Give this recipe a try today and make your mornings or dessert time extra special! Happy baking!

Apple Coffee Cake

Print Recipe

This Apple Coffee Cake is a warm, comforting, and delicious treat featuring tender crumb, fresh apple chunks, and a generous sprinkle of cinnamon. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, it offers a moist and flavorful bite with a crunchy streusel topping that’s simple to make and customizable to your taste.

Author: Julia
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour blend)

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

2 to 3 fresh tart apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based butter for dairy-free)
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract

Streusel Topping

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans, optional)
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed (or plant-based butter for dairy-free)

Instructions

Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and dice the apples into small, uniform pieces to ensure even fruit distribution and moist, flavorful bites throughout the cake.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute spices and leavening agents for a perfect texture.
Cream Butter and Eggs: Using a mixer, beat the softened butter and eggs on medium-high speed until light and fluffy; this traps air and helps the cake rise beautifully.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter and egg mixture to avoid overmixing, then fold in the diced apples gently, coating them evenly without breaking them apart.
Prepare the Streusel Topping: Mix the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and chopped nuts (if using) with cold butter cubes until crumbly and coarse to form a crunchy, caramelized topping.
Assemble and Bake: Pour the batter into a greased baking pan, sprinkle the streusel evenly over the top, and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45-55 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and butter for better mixing and lighter texture.
Gently fold ingredients to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender crumb.
Choose tart, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to balance sweetness and acidity.
Keep butter cold in the streusel topping for a crispy, crumbly texture after baking.
Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out with just a few moist crumbs.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of cake)
Calories: 300 kcal
Sugar: 25 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 3 g
Cholesterol: 70 mg

Keywords: apple coffee cake, cinnamon cake, streusel topping, moist cake, breakfast cake, gluten-free cake, dairy-free option, fall desserts